Northwestern State head softball coach Donald Pickett announced Aug. 7 the addition of former Baylor standout Kathy Shelton, the Big XII Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2013, as an assistant coach.
"It's really exciting to get a person like Kathy," seventh-year head coach Donald Pickett said. "She's a really positive, upbeat and energetic person. She's from McKinney, Texas and we've had quite a few recruits from that area in the past. We think she'll fit in here real well from a chemistry standpoint."
Shelton comes into a program that has made back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances and won 75 games in the past two seasons under Pickett. She joins third-year assistantAmy Hooks, a former Big XII Conference Player of the Year (2011) at Texas, on the Lady Demons' coaching staff.
At Baylor, Shelton played for former Demon football tight end (1988-89) and NSU assistant softball coach (1990-92) Glenn Moore, the Lady Bears' highly successful head coach for the past 14 seasons.
As a four-year starter, Shelton made a lasting impact on the Baylor record book. During her 2013 senior campaign, Shelton secured the program's single-season record for steals (41) as well as the all-time mark (121). Following the season, Shelton was one of just 20 Big XII student-athletes to receive the Dr. Prentice Gautt Postgraduate Scholarship.
As a sophomore, Shelton led the team in batting average (.359), hits (74), runs (35) and stolen bases (33) playing a vital role in the Lady Bears' 2011 World Series berth.
"Kathy was a really big part of the Baylor program," Pickett said. "When you watched Kathy play you could tell she was an exceptional leader and all the kids that played with her respected her.
"I think she'll bring the same qualities to our team as someone who the girls can look up to. Hopefully all those traits can help our kids grow and mature as players and individuals."
Shelton served as a hitting instructor at the Baylor University Coaches Clinic this year and spent the last six years as a Baylor softball camp counselor.
Shelton will be awarded her Master's of Science in Communication Sciences & Disorders from Baylor in August.
